As a property manager taking over a legacy account, I had to fix a lot of "deferred" (not ever done) maintence issues. A tenant complained of no hot water, so I checked the 13 year old electric heater, which was working, and asked the tenant if anyone had ever drained the tank. He said not to his knowledge, so I shut off the power and cold inlet, and hooked a 6 ft washer hose to the drain(it was an elevated tank in a mobil home with outdoor access). Upon opening the valve, I saw no flow, so I put the hose to my lips like a bugle and blew into it, and dislodged the sediment, which then properly drained out. That was MY sediment buster. And BTW, I was 75 years old, so excessive strength was not a factor. I think the volume of air flow was more important than the pressure.
@christopherkidwell98176 ай бұрын
Volume definitely, short bursts of air might move the sediment a little but it isn't going to move it and break it up to where it will not almost immediately clog up the tank's outlet again.
@delmarsmith6227 ай бұрын
I’ve always connected my hose and started to drain before turning off the water which will force any blockages out using street pressure. You can also just use a Milwaukee transfer pump which will suck the sediment out as well as drain the heater in like 6 minutes.
@TheDon710476 ай бұрын
same here
@everydaydadfixinit4803Ай бұрын
I will quick burst on the cold Intake to stir the sediment...kinda like what the tool does
@paulmorrow83727 ай бұрын
The Milwaukee M18 pump is awesome for draining water heaters. I feel like that pump with this attachment could flush a water heater FAST. With the impeller design of the M18 pump, it would handle that size debris fine.
@Shogunersash2 ай бұрын
I'm always wary of commercial channels, and I always thought yours was one. But I've started watching more of your content. I appreciate the knowledge you share. Thanks!
@SomeRandomDudeNT7 ай бұрын
I just picked up a Y from walmart, and used a quick connect coupling for a water hose, the nipple on it fits a air hose rubber nipple tight, then put water hose on the other Y, and just crack the valve and shoot compressed air in it shut valve and repeat, cost like 8$ in parts, compared to like 40$ for that thing.
@sully1105812 ай бұрын
Exactly what i was thinking. Tons of plumbing “hacks” are pretty cheap. Also turning out the drain and putting a 3/4 nipple,ball valve and 3/4 male by hose adapter usually defeats the sediment (under vacuum of course)
@habbadabbado576513 күн бұрын
Yup! I’ve been using a garden hose splitter to do this exact same process for years.
@JeffreyMota6 ай бұрын
Hey roger... i recommend when doing this kind of maintenance, leaving the gas valve on pilot setting because if im not mistaken thats the setting you were talking about. I believe the vacation setting will still turn on the flame as to keep the water at minimum temperature so not to allow build up of bacteria when not in use for a long time. Again i could be mistaken
@ohokayofficial7 ай бұрын
As an apprentice (former) - I asked the master plumber about a sky valve… now I am applying to be an electrician apprentice or erosion control inspector.
@akbychoice7 ай бұрын
😂
@robertgarrett70077 ай бұрын
Was that the same master plumber that had you go out to the work truck and get the pipe stretchers and a roll of fallopian tube?
@ohokayofficial7 ай бұрын
@@robertgarrett7007 no… that was in the past when I was working on becoming a *Master Harbor Freighter*
@wayne95187 ай бұрын
Better find a fluorescent tube bender now so you’ll know what one is when the electrician sends you for one.
@brucecampbell30626 ай бұрын
I drain my tank, pump 5 gal of vinegar into tank using small sump pump. Then hook up air compressor and a really small opening so air continually agitates vinegar. After 6 hours, drain vinegar. Then suck with shop vac to get as much sludge out as possible. Works for me.
@mr.boniato64023 ай бұрын
So how do I get all the sediment that's below the valve? There's a good 08-10 inches of sediment that will not come out.
@DrMaserati7 ай бұрын
Thanks for this. You've just solved a couple of problems for me. I've been planning to replace a water heater that's been in place for 52 years. So much sediment that there is no way to drain it, and I cannot move it by myself while it's full. This just might do the trick, and save me a whole lot of toil and sweat. And I have a similar situation with one that's been in place for 27 years. If it works for me, this thing will be worth every penny of the $40 it costs. 👍👍👍
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
I would LOVE to see the inside of that 52 year old water heater! That is crazy! Is it gas or electric?
@DrMaserati7 ай бұрын
@@RogerWakefield It's electric and still working fine. But I suspect its capacity is seriously compromised. You're welcome to come cut it open. Just a short jaunt up to Oregon. 😁
@mannys91307 ай бұрын
@@DrMaseratiYou can pull the dip tube or the anode rod and use a shop vac or a siphon to remove water from the top if the drain valve is clogged with sediment.
@DrMaserati7 ай бұрын
@@mannys9130 Yeah, I could do that if I could get one of those things out without moving it first. Considering how old it is, I doubt either will come out without destroying the water heater. And I'll probably continue to use it for a short time before replacing it.
@georgekolos52557 ай бұрын
Believe or not.. I still see a tank in service that has never been touched for > 60 years straight, not leaking and still doing it's job. It's a a Toastmaster that advertised that it had heating elements that could never burn out! To up that. It has been fed nothing but hard well water it whole life! Boy oh boy! A total shame of why they can't build things today like they used to
@habbadabbado576513 күн бұрын
A double garden hose splitter attached to drain valve works just as well. One hookup goes to compressed air tank at 40 psi and other is your discharge hose/line. Both manifolds have its own valve so you can toggle between compressed air and discharge hose.
@jenko7012 күн бұрын
I use city water pressure with a hose hooked up at the bottom of the tank and let that blow the crud out of the tank . I let it run under city water pressure for 4 to 5 minutes, that usually makes a good path through the crud. If it’s so bad that that doesn’t work , unscrew the pop off and put a pice of Pex pipe through the hole and pump it out with a transfer pump . Crimp a hose bib connection one end of the pex and use a washing machine hose to go to your pump , run it out with a large garden hose .
@stevensmith19117 ай бұрын
I bought the sediment buster and it worked fine with a bicycle pump. I could hear the huge bubbling on the inside of the tank. It really did work to unclog the drain and get sediment out. Dont be afraid to try a plain old bike pump first.
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
I did try the bicycle pump after the video and you're right, it does work 👍🏽
@BlackHoleForge7 ай бұрын
When I first saw you using that bicycle pump on the water tank, I thought that you must be testing the temperature and pressure relief valve.
@JeffShafer87Ай бұрын
I worked for the gentleman who created this tool, he’s a plumber by trade very good guy, it works I have one.
@ja.935g67Ай бұрын
Just bought 1 last week and this video showed up a week later 🤣
@RamonIntriago-x2p3 ай бұрын
I think that was the best idea that that guy ever did keep on going❤
@deankay44344 ай бұрын
I cut a failed water heater open from my own house. Not only was I shocked to find the leaks and future leaks, were at the top! But heated water rises. Also surprised, but the cold water inlet tube was bent 90 degrees near the bottom and circles 75% of the sediment area with little spray holes drilled in it every 3”. This will keep sediment loose for draining. But the ironic point was the glass lining at the top thinned allowing hot water to rust pin holes at the top! If I drain my tank to keep it efficient, and it plugged, I have an air blower to attach to one of 6 air hoses at 50’ in length. I have lots of air hose with 130 PSI compressor. Thanks kindly for the information.
@Zormisprojects7 ай бұрын
I liked how you had a water heater cut open to see the inside.
@stevem10817 ай бұрын
You stirred up all the sediment running the water hose in the tank, not near as much would have come out had this been done on a normal tank. But I can see the benefit of using the air pressure when crud clogs the valve, as I have had that happen a few times.
@donaldblank88736 ай бұрын
That's a good setup to drain a water heater because they do get clogged a lot. But I would definitely change out the water heater for a new one and keep it updated. Trying to get every inch of life out of a water heater is a extremely bad idea. Will cause problems down the road and most likely leak and cause damage. The water heater 14 years old needs to be changed out. There's that much sediment in the water heater a house filter needs to be installed and changed regularly. A lot of sediment in the water heater will cause loss in water capacity, People may think they need a larger water heater or an on demand system which is not the case. Take care of the water going into the tank.pre Ventive maintenance is key. Big Ds plumbing Medford Oregon
@Vortechtral6 ай бұрын
I use a full port valve and a vacuum hose into a drain. Water runs through like Mexican food at a baseball game. I also try to flush my tank once or twice a year since my water is so terrible. It should be better now however since our village got an RO system installed.
@OperationNorthwoodsАй бұрын
That item appears to no longer be available on Amazon! I'm sad.
@habbadabbado576513 күн бұрын
Use a garden hose splitter, which you can find at any hardware store (and about 80% cheaper).
@atacstringer85737 ай бұрын
I'm going to have to find your video on the water heater settlement that you were talking about about once a year but it sounds like it might need a little more cleaning or a little more thorough cleaning than what we usually do
@stanatqc7 ай бұрын
I'm worried that if I flush my water heater, leftover sediments might liberate in the next weeks and gunk up my faucets 😢 Is that possible?
@IDatPurpleTurtle7 ай бұрын
The sediment is already in your tank and can be carried to your faucets already. Flushing the tank will help to get rid of most if not all of the sediment and extend the life of your water heater. I do see a potential for a greater amount of sediment in the water if you try to use hot water IMMEDIATELY, but by the time your tank heats back up, everything should have settled back down to how it was before.
@nickbryant23187 ай бұрын
If you want to avoid this, just run your bathtub for a few minutes after you flush the heater. This will give any big sediment chunks a larger pipe to find their way out. But you usually don't have to worry about it
@mannys91307 ай бұрын
@@nickbryant2318Many bath tub faucets pass water through a small temp balancing mixing valve that's pretty complicated and often hard to remove. I'd suggest taking the hose off the washing machine and purging through that for a minute or so rather than flowing through any valves.
@patrickmarquez46197 ай бұрын
Call a plumber
@georgekolos52557 ай бұрын
Or forget about ever flushing your tank that 99.99% of people, even professional plumbers never do with thier own tank. Way more problems created than solved like cheap plastic drain valve not resealing same reason to never touch the T&P valve on. If you haven't flushed such tank starting off with year 1 of it's life. Zero point/ benefit of doing so.. Only harm can be caused vs. 0 benefit. Tankless a whole different story. If you don't flush with descaler like vinegar in many years.. Then say goodbye to hot water and your fancy water heater 😅 I believe Roger once said he reccomend to replace anode after 1st year??? Why Roger, why Roger?? Something else that no normal person ever does. If you do and it prolongs the tanks life by not leaking. Then 100% for sure gas valve and temperature control will fail before tank starts leaking. Of your not a handy person that can replace a water heater on your own professionally, then calling a plumber to replace gas valve will cost you about as much to replace the entire tank and get a at least 6 yr warranty on all parts for it + one yr labor guarantee from a decent proffesional
@chandlershelby50257 ай бұрын
“Vacation” 😂 Roger has not been in the field for awhile!
@georgekolos52557 ай бұрын
Really starting to mislead people.
@louisd957147 ай бұрын
Unless if I am not understanding your comment, Roger is correct. I have the same water heater, and there is definitely a Vacation Mode selection.
@chandlershelby50257 ай бұрын
The new ikon valve that’s used on the majority of water heaters doesn’t have a vacation setting. It has a pilot setting which is the same thing. Most people won’t be able to find a vacation mode when they look for it.
@bennymoz30917 ай бұрын
😂😂😂... You're funny. He's making benjamins really easy! And you are making only Washingtons killing your ass in the field! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@louisd957147 ай бұрын
@@chandlershelby5025 I see, thank you for the explanation.
@kennethmc26017 ай бұрын
So, just thinkin here, this could totally be dumb. Would it make sense to close both lines on top of the water heater and pressurize the water heater up to 50 PSI? It would force air in, breaking up that crud, and then the pressure would force water out, forcefully sucking junk out with it. I'm sure they dont want you to do that in the instructions because someone's going to give it 180 PSI and cause problems.
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Yeah and I mentioned that when we filmed, but cut it out. I would want that pressure in the tank, like you said, to break all the sediment up. For this video I followed the instructions they gave me
@robertchinchilla55446 ай бұрын
You should have one valve on the cold side if you have one on the hot side also you are making a pressure cooker if you shut them both off the heater could blow up if the re,if valve fails !!!
@lrwright840010 күн бұрын
That gadget would have helped my gray water barrel too. Nice. Thanks for sharing!!
@RogerWakefield6 күн бұрын
You bet!
@peaceinwartimeable6 ай бұрын
I enjoyed the video. There are those that say drain, those that say never drain. If youre going to drain it, you need to move fast. Anyone thats ever drained a bucket after flushing supply lines knows that sediment is heavier by far than water. My solution is simple. Take your (assuming you have one) trusty 3/4 gas line leak pressure gauge, hook it up to the cold. With your handy dandy air compressor, blast SOME air, in bursts, using your pressure gauge as a guide. Usually it wont hold pressure. If it does, youre doing it wrong or there is a major problem. Air pressure is stronger than water as it reacts differently via the rates of insertion and the forces at play. Specific gravity, etc and wont go into all that. The air, in my experience, will continually stir the sediment, whilst evacuate the water.
@Dave-ld3drАй бұрын
Do you think this would work on an RV water heater?10 gallon Suburban.If so what PSI would you recommend?
@Crazycookson11154 күн бұрын
You would think pushing air into the tank would force water out it would be under pressure?
7 ай бұрын
Can direct vent FVIR rated gas water heater be placed on the floor in a garage?
@fisherbrown90328 күн бұрын
Is ok just regular 12v. Eletric tire pump for car ? Instead hand pump
@dormandavis2767Ай бұрын
Roger, I’m finding out that on well water there’s not a whole lot of sediment in a water heater. I have changed out a lot of water heaters on city water that are full of sediment after five years. On my water heater at my house it was 20 years old, and there was no sediment in it. I went ahead and changed it out cause I had a fear of it starting to leak.
@shanemiller97502 ай бұрын
I’m thinking repeat the process by turning on the cold water to stir up any remaining sediment on the bottom
@sorenpeterson72397 ай бұрын
Why not drain under pressure to force out the sediment?
@kennethmc26017 ай бұрын
I had the same thought, but you just know someone would give it a billion PSI and explode the tool, or worse. I'm just saying I would do it under pressure, but I see why the manufacturer (and their lawyers) wouldnt want to encourage it.
@nickbryant23187 ай бұрын
I think the idea is that the sediment will just be suspended in the tank
@mannys91307 ай бұрын
Not enough pressure. If you get a chunk of scale stuck over the drain port, standard water pressure usually won't blow it past the bottleneck.
@kukri18777 ай бұрын
@@kennethmc2601 The same people who would try and air their tires to 100%
@MrDarren50127 ай бұрын
Exactly… then someone wouldn’t be getting paid to sell a product that would not be needed almost ever…I have been a plumber for 30 years and cannot remember ever having sediment blocking the outlet maybe slow it down a little but then all it take is a shake of the tank….
@StevenS-b5k7 ай бұрын
From the time I saw Roger with the bicycle pump I told myself I HAVE to watch this video! So 8 Minutes later here I am! 😂😂
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Well I'm glad you stuck around to watch! I appreciate it
@StevenS-b5k7 ай бұрын
@@RogerWakefield Very Welcome Sir! It's Educators like you that make us keep returning to your channel for guidance!
@getprobed8387 ай бұрын
i'm assuming it would work on an electric water heater also right?
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Any water heater with a drain 😅
@bobniles19287 ай бұрын
I replace the factory drain with a full port ball valve with a hose adapterthe end. end.
@tinman1955Ай бұрын
Was that well water or utility water? Filtered?
@RogerWakefieldАй бұрын
City water not filteref
@1mrsleepy15 ай бұрын
Is this supposed to be a better solution than the turbo flush tool?
@RogerWakefield5 ай бұрын
depends on your situation on if it's "better" but it is a different solution
@zachsmith52167 ай бұрын
The reason you saw murky water quickly was because you just got through spraying the hose a d stirred up things. Also, how could that air loosen the sediment on the bottom of the tank? Not sure how effective this would be.
@PaulRopellaАй бұрын
My Question is...Will this work on those "stupid" plastic turn valves, they don't open all the way as it is. Would this work with those??
@RogerWakefieldАй бұрын
if it does open all the way, you shouldn't have a problem...I'm like you, I hate the plastic valves....I always change them out if I can
@KharmenSense5 ай бұрын
SO, theoretically if you drain the whole thing you crack upen the cold water valve to refill it and literally 'rinse and repeat'? Also will cracking the pressure relief valve help speed up the process vs keeping the hot water valve in the tub open? Always enjoy the informative videos, Mr Roger
@donaldlemmon55927 ай бұрын
Thank you
@othnielcarbajal22357 ай бұрын
What's your hourly rate?
@frotobaggins71694 ай бұрын
If you're flushing your tank, it's a good time to replace that anode rod.
@Dennismininal5 ай бұрын
This guy is a trip man. I dont know how he does it...🤣
@918scott7 ай бұрын
Just bought one with your link. Will take a month to get here but should be worth it. Thanks!
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Hope you enjoy it!
@kingmike406 ай бұрын
Anything wrong with leaving the city water on and hook the hose to the tank and then turning the valve to drain the tank. My tank will drain with city water on. It won't drain without it.
@johnwalker8907 ай бұрын
Good deal Roger.....
@jacobbowling2637 ай бұрын
Awesome video Roger.
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Thanks brother
@carlmccoy6629 күн бұрын
And as a bonus they are offering a FREE sky valve with purchase
@Ham682297 ай бұрын
My hot water heater whenever I take a shower, afterwards, sounds like it's getting a lot of air inside, it kind of "gurgles". What does one do about that?
@travissmith56057 ай бұрын
How come they don't use the same design for a camper septic clean out
@alfonsoarmendariz14163 ай бұрын
Just connect hose blast out with its own water pressure till its flowing
@laiky7113 күн бұрын
i would imagine a hose nozzle in the anode rod hole would do a better job
@fisherbrown90328 күн бұрын
Or have to get a air compressor better ?
@geraldgamble21787 ай бұрын
So now I got to cut my hose , elevate my tank for good flow (cause mine is on the basement floor ) guess also cut my tank in half to dump the rest out . And it’s backed by a plumber tech 😂😂😂
@tacklebox62397 ай бұрын
Poindexter over here playing with his science project
@Vaticider697 ай бұрын
Seems like it would be good for draining when replacing... Does it get enough debris out to make it good for being proactive... I don't think so..
@DavidKing-vb9ux7 ай бұрын
Easy fix for this. Manufacturers using larger valves to allow complete drainage of all sediment. Valve body for the drain should be the same size as the electric heat element that would allow for most sediment to flow out into the hose from there it can be dealt with by the homeowner or the technician. But that would reduce new water heater sales so why do that and don’t give me any BS about cost!
@munocat20 күн бұрын
i forgot to drain the hot water from the faucet, when I undid the anode bolt, I got a nice hot shower.
@Grunttamer7 ай бұрын
I hate when I get a flat water heater and have to use the donut.
@CoolStuff..7 ай бұрын
Cool
@Ojb_195927 күн бұрын
After it drains completely but still murky, why not turn on the cold inlet for a few minutes and repeat the process untits clear to your satisfaction. My 2 cents.
@coreyfranco7060Ай бұрын
Cheaper to replace the tank then all this labor
@RogerWakefieldАй бұрын
You thought this was a lot of work? Hook up a hose and the air pump and let it drain..
@coreyfranco7060Ай бұрын
When you factor in how many times you do this over the lifespan of a 6 year tank yes.
@lamar95257 ай бұрын
What's a sediment buster?
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
That small attachment I put on the drain to the water heater...helps flush it...
@Dnps8077 ай бұрын
This is how the water heater ends up costing the homeowner an extra $500+ per year to maintain it over its lifetime, which may never actually get extended, or its performance substantivly increased over any other traditional method of doing the same thing
@BackForwardPunch7 ай бұрын
seems like its just helping clean it
@Dnps8077 ай бұрын
@@BackForwardPunch call a plumber and ask them how much they would charge to do this service, and then weigh that proportionally against the value of a water heater during it's normal serviceable lifespan
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
If you had this tool, you probably don't have to call a plumber to flush it...this makes it easy
@Dnps8077 ай бұрын
@RogerWakefield that's the only way it makes economic sense, is for the homeowner to have it
@winnipegperfectcircleflyin7859Ай бұрын
Out of stock everywhere
@RogerWakefieldАй бұрын
Really? Did you check the link in my bio?
@NoName-zz8nl7 ай бұрын
Or you could crank the thermostat
@simpsons7217 ай бұрын
Now compare it to the turbo tank cleaner!!!
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
I've done a video on the turbo tank cleaner kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrOgmmQqs1qgqMsi=6lvAOf8by11vmWZl
@simpsons7217 ай бұрын
@@RogerWakefield Nice!!!
@bradguerra63137 ай бұрын
Tbh wouldn’t waste my time with this as a professional. I can see how it would benefit a homeowner or a beginner. Either syphon from top if replacing the WH or hot swap a prefabbed nipple and full port if keeping WH.
@DigitalIP7 ай бұрын
The scale/sediment in my tank is so bad i actually have to take the bottom element off now and then to scoop/wet vac it out to keep it from the bottom element. This is what happens when you dont clear it out every year like you're supposed to (didnt know it was that important until the past few years even though the house is 24 years old and the tank was replaced a number of years ago). With that said, i would not call that tool a sediment "BUSTER" as it doesnt Bust anything. This was kind of a click bait video.
@MrTooTechnical7 ай бұрын
Fuking awesome
@chetmyers70416 ай бұрын
Talk about "half-baked" instruction.
@Phil-D837 ай бұрын
Someone will give it 300 psi and blow up pex pipes
@peaceinwartimeable6 ай бұрын
Unless it's also bad, water heaters have a temperature and pressure relief valve. Which would blow long before. But I see your point. People are Dum
@bdblazer64007 ай бұрын
See all this left sediment 🤮 Next: Scrubbing Waterheater using a endoscopic camera and tiny shopvac hose
@nspro9317 ай бұрын
There does exist a contraption that puts something like a drain snake in through the drain port and flops around with a drill busting up the sediment
@meseahunt7 ай бұрын
minimal fix/outcome, I'll pass 🤠
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Did you see the tub that it was emptying into? It definitely got a lot of sediment out
@meseahunt7 ай бұрын
@@RogerWakefield for those of us who perform routine maint on household items(in this case the w/h) this serves almost no purpose, for those folks who help pay the van payment for the plumber this would be an ok purchase 🤠
@ramohino5 ай бұрын
Dumbest gimmick I have seen. All ya need to do is remove the drain valve and replace it with a stainless steel 3/4" gate valve. Before ya drain the tank to replace the drain valve go ahead and replace the anode and replace the anode every four years and drain your tank every year or every six months depending on your water. YW
@pigletshut7 ай бұрын
Only $40, this needs not be a professional tool, any homeowner can buy it and maintain their own. Now I gotta go find the drain port on my heater.
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Should be near the bottom 🤣
@georgekolos52557 ай бұрын
Please stop promoting such useless gimmicks Roger
@RogerWakefield7 ай бұрын
Did you see how well it worked? It's not useless...